BOEM Science Quality & Integrity

Applied Science for Informed Decision Making

BOEM is committed to using the best available science, and part of this commitment includes ensuring the quality of the science. We accomplish this through extensive peer review during every aspect of the process.

Numerous mechanisms are in place to identify and fulfill this requirement for scientific peer review. Those existing mechanisms include, for example:

These measures, as well as stakeholder input, begin early in the development stages, and continue during the course of the projects. In addition, projects are regularly presented at BOEM Information Transfer Meetings and special workshops facilitating both scientific peer review and public/stakeholder input.

Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities

"Because robust, high quality science and scholarship play such an important role in advancing the Department's mission, it is vital that we have a strong and clear scientific integrity policy." Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar

In response to the Presidential Memorandum on Scientific Integrity, March 9, 2009, Secretarial Order No. 3305, and the December 17, 2010, Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies issued by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy on Scientific Integrity Secretary Salazar signed Departmental Manual Chapter 305 DM 3 detailing the scientific integrity policy for the Department of the Interior entitled Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities on January 28, 2011. (Part 305: Chapter 3).

Section V of OMB's Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review requires that agencies "begin a systematic process of peer review planning" and publish a "web-accessible listing of forthcoming influential scientific disseminations (i.e., an agenda) that is regularly updated by the agency.”